The very term “supply chain” implies a straight line and a singular operating mode, with tight linkages moving goods smoothly from mode to mode and location to location. In Asia-Pacific, however, this concept is unrealistic.

In product design and manufacturing environments, we assume decisions are based on facts and technical details. But, perhaps not always. Sometimes, it could be the wrong time of day to make one more good decision.

By 2020, personal robots ranging between $1,500 and $4,500 could enter our lives, technologies such as 3D printing could likely generate revenue of $7.1 billion by 2020, and we will witness the emergence of new business models.

Needless to say, having cars crash before they have been completely assembled is not good for the bottom line. That was the problem Autos y Máquinas del Ecuador S.A. was experiencing in its Hyundai/KIA manufacturing plant in Ecuador.

Just as the closure has evolved, so have the needs of brands to leverage the technology effectively, and today they look to their suppliers to better understand the capabilities and value of the different solutions available.

As a general rule, engineers approach problems as logically as possible to weigh the most desirable outcome (exceptions always apply), but that doesn’t mean that engineers are without concern or worry.